Georgia Perimeter College will close the Center for Continuing and Corporate Education effective June 30. A limited number of programs will continue through completion for current participants.

"Like other colleges and universities across the nation, Georgia Perimeter College is at a point that we must make deeper financial reductions in order to weather this rough economic storm," said GPC President Dr. Anthony Tricoli. "While it is necessary to discontinue some elements of this program, the college is committed to preserving our academic quality and our positive relationship with the community."

Speaking of young minds, last year Newton Mentoring started a program to place trained adult mentors with children in the community to provide support, tutoring and counseling and also to exemplify a constructive role model.

We are more than pleased that more than 30 folks volunteered for this program. This past week their efforts were honored with a reception at the Newton County Schools' administration building.

Thanks to Mayor Kim Carter's tie breaking vote, the Covington City Council approved the special use permit for the proposed Peachtree Academy to be located in the McGuirts Bridge Road area of the city.

The main issue seems to be possible traffic increases for the area. One resident said before school and during afternoon dismissal that his driveway would be blocked.

On Thursday, May 7, the Covington-Newton County Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Newton Federal Bank and A Cut Above Shredding will hold the second annual Shred Day. This event is open to all businesses and citizens of Newton County. The event will be held in the Chamber's parking lot at 2101 Clark Street from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Mrs. Freda Rose Bailey died April 20. the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred (Emily Henry) Rose, she was born in Brandon Hill, Clarendon, Jamaica, West Indies in 1931. Raised and educated in Jamaica, Mrs. Bailey was an active member of the East Queens Street Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband Mr. Lloyd Bailey. Mrs. Bailey was very proud of her only child, her daughter Sonia. Mrs. Bailey was a very sweet, loving, nurturing and caring mother who was very supportive of her daughter, encouraging her to get a good education. In 2001 Mrs ...

Oxford College will hold its 163rd commencement exercise on May 8-9. The event will begin with an interfaith service at 5 p.m Friday at Old Church near the historic campus. Approximately 350 students will be graduating from Oxford; having completed their sophomore year, students continue for their junior year on the Atlanta campus of Emory University. Speaker for the commencement ceremony which will be held starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday on the campus will be Dr. James T. Laney, president emeritus of Emory University.

ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia health officials have shut down a suburban Atlanta private high school after a 14-year-old student tested positive for swine flu.

Eagle's Landing Christian Academy in Henry County has suspended all classes for 14 days, though no other students are displaying symptoms of the potentially fatal H1N1 virus, said Dr. Elizabeth Ford, head of the state's Division of Public Health. State health officials believe the student's illness is linked to a group of his classmates returning from a trip to Panama in mid-April, Ford said during a news conference.